Have you heard what’s going on in Totnes?

Almost 100 people showed up for their community at the Civic Hall in Totnes on Sunday, 7th December, to discuss something that affects everyone: housing. The fourth Community Assembly invited locals to share their thoughts and food, hear each other out, and find workable solutions to the housing crisis to improve the lives of everyone living in or near Totnes.

The first three Totnes Assemblies, held in St John’s, the Methodist Church, and Bridgetown Community Centre, led to friends and neighbours establishing how best to use citizen power, via a process of talking, listening, and voting. Housing consistently came up as the issue that Totnesians are desperate to tackle.

Expertise was supplied by guest speakers Nicola Lang from Transition Homes, Philip Yonge from Totnes Rough Sleeper Help, and James Shorten, from Bowden Pillars. Participants split into ‘breakout rooms’, with six at each table, listening to different guest speakers and then reporting back. Ideas were proposed, and after much discussion, a democratic vote resulted in six recommendations for action, including:

1: Establish a Totnes Community Housing Taskforce, a cross-community co-ordinating body that will connect Community Land Trusts with planners, architects, technical advisors, local homelessness charities, and local residents

2. A new, up to date housing survey

3. Mapping and assessing all the empty spaces, buildings, and unused land in the area.

Afterwards, locals reported a renewed sense of passion for co-operation.

Holly, 31, a local maker, said: ‘To be seeking solutions together is so empowering and necessary.’

Keith, a local writer, told us: ‘This is the kind of Democracy we need in every community - discussion, enlightenment, empowerment!’

To find out more about our upcoming assemblies, or discover the different ways you can support this movement please visit timetoassemble.org/totnes and set up a regular donation!

Those unable to attend in person can also have their say with the Totnes Community Assembly survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsg9R9TvoTlGvxU_nIQzPL0NKcNSd08wYKbw7SUXDRS2RcJw/viewform

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